so i’ve been all into the blogosphere and being the onlooker for general conference this year. so much more than in ’04.. before that there really wasn’t a way to keep up like today. i find this from craig to be a very good question

The General Conference is meeting under the theme of: "A Future with
Hope." But, does the world or the Church (in general) really need the
UMC?  Is there a place in the plan and purpose of God for the UMC?